As the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike enters its third day on the US East and Gulf Coasts, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has joined the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) in redoubling its commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with the ILA dockers in their fight for a fair, just, and safe master contract with ocean carriers.
In what is the first ILA strike since 1977, 36 ports on the Atlantic and southern seaboard have been hit by industrial action as the ILA seeks wage increases that keep pace with inflation, and protection against the automation of cargo handling, particularly concerning the use of automated cranes.
“The ILA’s fight is our fight,” said Paddy Crumlin, ITF president and dockers’ section chair, and MUA national secretary.
On Monday night, port employers’ federation, United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), made a last-minute offer to the 85 000-member ILA.
The offer was rejected.
As the ILA strike action began in the Port of Philadelphia shortly after midnight on Tuesday, workers chanted, “No work without a fair contract”, while ILA messages on the sides of trucks read ‘Automation Hurts Families: ILA Stands for Job Protection’.
“Our commitment to the ILA is absolute, and that will never change,” said ITF general secretary, Stephen Cotton.
“Dockers worldwide face the same struggle; they want to be paid well for their hard work, they want to be safe at work, and they want to go home at the end of their shifts to the people who love them and know that there’s a secure job for them and the next generation doing this vital waterfront work.
“That is what the ILA is fighting for, and the ITF and its affiliated dockers’ unions all around the world back them in that fight the whole way.”
If the strike lasts for weeks, it is expected to significantly hit supply chains in the run-up to the holiday season and impact prices for US consumers. Immediate impacts are expected in the supply of imported perishable goods. The strike also has the potential to coincide with the US presidential election on November 5.
“The USMX can settle this right now. And if it doesn’t, any economic fallout from this strike is on the USMX,” said ILA president, Harold Daggett.
